The Associations between Functional Fitness Test Performance and Abdominal Obesity in Healthy Elderly People: Results from the National Physical Fitness Examination Survey in Taiwan.

Hsin-Han Chen,Yi-Tien Lin,Chien-Chang Ho,Hui-Ling Chen,Chaou-Wen Lin,Hsueh-Yi Lin,Po-Fu Lee

doi:10.3390/ijerph18010264

Abstract

The relationships between different functional fitness performance and abdominal obesity among the elderly have not been widely discussed in the literature. The present study aimed to investigate the associations between functional fitness test performance and abdominal obesity in Taiwanese elderly people. A total of 22,399 items of data from the National Physical Fitness Survey Databases in Taiwan (NPFSD 2014-15) were reviewed and analyzed. The quartiles of functional fitness test results were identified as the dependent variable in the multiple linear regression analysis to examine the association between functional fitness and abdominal obesity status. The results showed that body balance (odds ratios (ORs) listed from 1.18 to 2.29, p < 0.05) and flexibility (ORs listed from 1.23 to 2.16, p < 0.05) were critically associated with abdominal obesity. However, measurements related to muscle strength revealed the limited effect sizes for abdominal obesity. From a disability prevention perspective, the development of muscle strength in the elderly should be emphasized and encouraged to maintain their daily capabilities instead of satisfaction with a lean body.

Highlights

22,399 items of data from 8017 male and 14,372 female participants were included in the present study
The present study aimed to investigate the associations between functional fitness test performance and abdominal obesity risk among healthy Taiwanese elderly people
It is understandable that physically untrained populations commonly perform lower-limb and core muscle strength exercises, which are fundamental for body balancing

Summary

Introduction

Body composition modifications are crucial for successful aging. Populations are usually characterized by increased body fat mass and decreased muscle mass and bone density compared to younger adults [1]. Distribution of body adiposity may change with age. A recent study indicated that body adiposity is generally increasing in the abdominal area and mainly with a reduction in subcutaneous fat in late life [2]. Abdominal obesity has been reported for its significant association with metabolic syndrome and involvement with other health-related risk factors, such as blood lipid disorders, inflammation, insulin resistance, and diabetes, which result in negative impacts on society [3]. Abdominal obesity is correlated with higher cardiovascular

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